A Review on Biodegradable Plastics

Abstract

The interaction between synthetic polymers and the natural environment in terms of the effects of oxygen, radiant energy, and living organisms has been extensively studied over the past two decades [1]. However, the recent trends in the preservation of the environment have created much public interest. This is due to the heavy usage of plastics as packaging materials in consumer industry. Materials used as packaging films and the like are not expected to have a long service life. Among several such materials, polyolefins have received special criticism because of their longevity and stability under soil burial conditions. The most likely degradative processes acting on buried polyolefins are simple oxidation and microbial attack, in addition to photodegmdation under the influence of UV sunlight. The disposal of plastics as refuse or litter is thus a volume problem rather than a weight problem. The relative proportion of plastics in refuse increases every day on account of their low degradability. The widespread concern of the public regarding waste plastic products prompted us to undertake an overview of the biodegradation of plastic products.